Railway car



July 12, 1932. W E, WWE 1,866,741

RAILWAY AR y I Filed Aug. 11. 1931 5 sheets-sheet 1 JQATTQRNEY.:

Juy 12, 1932.

W. E. WINE RAILWAY CAR Filed Aug. 11. 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IVENTOR r QD l www.

W. E. WINE July 12, 1932.,

RAILWAY C AR Filed Aug. 1l, 1,931 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR .@ATTORNEH 1- Patented July 12, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAILWAY can Application led August 11, 1931. Serial No. 556,425.

My invention relates to railway'hopper cars and more particularly to door frames therefor, and has for its principal object the provision of new and improved means for strengthening and rigidifying the door frame and connecting it to associated parts of the car.

A primary feature of the invention consists in providing the hopper of a railway car with a door frame having a lading discharge opening, the portion of the frame above the opening involving a flange rigidly secured to an inclined floor sheet of the car, a rigidifying portion extending outwardly from the lower edge of the flange and a plate portion extending downwardly from said rigidifying portion intermediate Ithe edges of the latter, the lower edge of the plate portion bounding the upper edge of the lading discharge opening.

Another feature of the invention consists in providing the portion of the hopper door frame above the lading discharge opening thereof with an outwardly projecting rigidifying portion, a flange extending upwardly from adjacent the inner edge of the rigidifying portion for attachment to an inclined floor sheet of the car, and a plate portion extending downwardly from the rigidifying portion in a plane spaced from and substantially parallel with said flange, the lower edge of the plate portion bounding the upper edge frame and door Vbeing shown in elevation.

of the lading discharge opening.

A further feature ofthe invention consists in providing the portions of the door frame bounding the side edges of the lading discharge opening thereof with outwardly projecting sealingflanges for cooperating with the associated door, the sealing flanges extending upwardly above the upper edge of the lading discharge opening and merging into the plate portion of the frame which bounds or defines the upper edge of the discharge opening.

A still further feature of the invention consists iu providing the hopper car door frame with laterally projecting means rigidly secured to an adjacent center sill of the car, the means having a portion overlying and resting upon the upper surfaces of an outwardly projecting flange of the center sill.

A still further feature of the invention consists in integrally providing the door frame with laterally projecting means disposed above an outwardly projecting flange of an adjacent car center sill, said means involving a portion resting upon the upper surface of the flange and a portion rigidly secured to the web of the center sill.

,A still further feature of the invention consists in integrally providing the door frame with a laterally projecting portion rigidly secured to the center sill and in providing a detachable bracket for rigidly connecting the door frame to an adjacent portion of a side sill of the car.

Still another feature of the invention consists in providing .a bracket member for rigidly connecting the door frame to a side sill of the car which has a substantially vertical portion and an inwardly projecting portion, the bracket being provided with portions rigidly secured to each of said portions of the side sill.

Other and more specific features of the invention residing in advantageous forms, combinations and relations of parts will hereinafter appear and be pointed out in the claims.

` In the drawings:

Figure l is a vertical transverse sectional view of substantially one half of the lower portion of 'a railway hopper car, the door .Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the car illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View taken v on line 3 3, Figure 1. j

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 4-4, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is' an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5 5, Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view taken on line 6 6. Figure 5.

Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10 are respectively enlarged detail sectional Views taken on lines 7 7, 8 8, 9 9, and l0-10, Figure 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings l indicates one of the center sills of a railway hopper car, and 9. designates one of the side sills thereof. The center sill lis of conventional formhaving a web 3, an inwardly projecting top flange 4 and inwardly and outwardly projecting bottom flanges 5 and 6 respectively. The top flange 4 is, as is customary, connected to the corresponding flange of the adjacent center sill (not shown) by a top cover plate 7. The side sill 2 is formed with a substantially vertical portion 8 and a substantially horizon'tal flange 9 which projects inwardly from adjacent the lower edge of the latter.

Intermediate the side and center sills the car is provided with a hopper which is formed by inner and outer side sheets 10 and 11 respectively and a downwardly inclined slope sheet 12. The inner side sheet which is preferably disposed in a substantially vertical plane terminates adjacent its upper edge in an inwardly projecting flange 13 overlying and rigidly secured by rivets 14 to the outwardly projecting flange 6 of the center sill while the outer side sheet 11 which is disposed in a plane forming an oblique angle with the vertical terminates adj acent its upper edge in an outwardly projecting flange 15 overlying and rigidly secured by rivets 16 to the inwardly projecting flange 9 of the side sill. At their lower portions the side sheets are provided with flanges 17, which underlie and are secured to adjacent portions of the slope sheet 12. The car is also provided with a transversely extending floor sheet 18 which inclines downwardly adjacent the forward portion of the hopper. At its upper edge the floor sheet is provided with a flange 19 for attachment to an adjacent portion of a cross bearer 20 of the car while at its end portions' the sheet is provided with flanges 21 for attachment by rivets 22 to the web of the center sill and the vertical portion 8 of the side sill.

Rigidly secured to the slope sheet 12 and the inner and outer side sheets 10 and 11 at the discharge end 0f the hopper, yis a door frame which may be conveniently formed as a steel casting. The fra-Ine is preferably of trapezoidal form and is provided at its opposite sides with inwardly extending flanges 23 and 24 respectively secured to the inner and outer side sheets of the hopper by a plurality of rivets. To conform to the side sheets of the hopper to which theylare respectively secured the inner flange 23 is dis-l posed in a substantially vertical plane while the outer flan e 24 is disposed in a plane forming an o lique angle to the vertical.

The frame is formed with a. lading discharge opening 25 which is preferably rectangular in shape thereby providing between the outer flange 24 and the adjacent edge ofthe 'opening a triangular downwardly tapering platelike portion 26. By reason of the fact that the triangularly shaped portions 26 intervene between the flange 24 and the adjacent edge of the lading discharge opening this portion of the flange possesses great rigidity and strength. As the inner marginal edge of the lading discharge opening coincides with the inner flange 23 this side of the frame is preferably rigidified by an inwardly projecting flange 27 which is preferably disposed in the plane of the plate portion 26.

The portion of the frame below the lading discharge opening is of angular shape having a portion 28 rigidly secured by rivets to the slope sheet and a flange 29 projecting downwardly from the inner edge of the portion 28. If desired, the flange 29 may terminate in a bead or rib 30. Moreover, the flange 29 may extend upwardly as at 31 for a short distance on opposite sides of the frame adjacent the inner or free edges of the flanges 23 and 24, and likewise the inner reinforcing flange 27 may extend for a short distance -as at 27 a beneath the slope sheet attaching por tion 28 of the frame. f The portion of the frame above the lading discharge opening is provided with a flange or vthe like 32 which is rigidly secured by rivets 33 to the floor sheet 18 and with a rigidifying portion 34 which projects outwardly at substantially right angles to the flangel32 from adjacent its lower edge. EX- tending downwardly from the rigidifying portion 34 intermediate its side edges is a plate-like portion or flange 35, the lower edge of which bounds the upper edge of the lading discharge opening. This plate portion is disposted in the same plane as the triangular plate portion 26 and adjacent the upper outer edge of the opening these plate portions coincide. To reinforce the door frame ad'acent the upper corners of the lading disc arge opening the plate portion 35 is formed with downwardly extending portions 36.

Formed integrally with the rigidifying portion 34 and the plate portion 35 are a plurality of lugs 37 for receiving pins 38 which are adapted tocooperate with hinge straps 39 mounted on the outer face of the door 40 employed for closing the lading discharge opening. In order thatthe axis of the hinge pin 38 may be disposed in substantially the plane of the door the lugs 37 project beyond the outer edge of the rigidifying portion 34 of the door frame. Between the hinge lugs the outer edge ofthe portion 34 may be conveniently formed with an upwardly project-A ing flange 41y which is preferably disposed in a plane substantially parallel with the flange 32. This flange, 41, together with adjacent portions of the rigidifymg portion 34 is integrally connected to the flange 32 by a plurality of ribs 42 which are preferably disposed in vertical alinement with the hinge lugs 37. The ends of the rigidifying portion 34 may also be integrally connected to the flange 32 by substantially vertical ribs 43, and, if desired, from points inwardly of its ends the rigidifying portion 34 may decrease in width. By forming the upper portion of the door frame in the manner described it will be readily perceived that it is capable of adequately withstanding all forces transmitted to it from the door through the hinge pins 38.

To connect the door frame to the center sill it may be provided, preferably integrally, with a laterally projecting member 44 which extends above the outwardly projecting flange 6 of the center sill. This member is formed with a plate portion 45 which is disposed in the same plane as the flange 32 of the frame and, like that flange, -is secured to the floor sheet 18. The member is also provided with a bottom flange 46 which overlies and rests upon the upper surface of the flange 6 of the center sill and with a forwardly projecting lug 47 which is rigidly secured by a rivet 48 to the web 3 of the center sill. The portion of the part 45 which extends below the inner end of the rigidifying portion .34 of the door frame is connected to the plate portion 35 of the latter by a substantially vertical wall or web 49 which is offset slightly inwardly from the upper portion of the inner flange 23 of the frame. This manner of connecting the door frame to the center sill is particularly advantageous for, even though the attaching rivet 48 may be accidently sheared while the car is in service the outwardly projecting flange of the center sill still serves to support the inner side of the frame.

The outer side of the frame is preferably connected to the side sill by a bracket 50 which has angularly disposed portions 51 and 52 respectively secured by rivets to the vertical portion 8 and horizontal flange 9 of the side sill. The bracket is also provided with a portion 53 which overlaps the'inner face of the floor sheet 18 and is secured to the flange 32 of the frame and with a downwardly inclined portion 54 which overlaps the inner face of the outer hopper side sheet 11 and is rigidly secured to the side flange 24 of the frame. By thus securing adjacent portions of the door frame and side sill, not only is a very rigid connection obtained but by reason of the fact that the bracket is secured to both the horizontal and Vertical portions of the sill the latter is strengthened and rigidified against forces transmitted to it incidentto supporting the door frame.

Formed on the frame and bounding the sides and bottom edges of the lading discharge opening are outwardly projecting flanges 55 for cooperating with inwardly projecting flanges 56 with which the door 40 is preferably provided to prevent the escape of fine lading from the hopper. Although the upper edge of the door may be formed with a marginal flange similar to those formed along the side and bottom edge thereof, it has been found unnecessary to provide the portion of the frame bounding the upper edge of the lading discharge opening, with a flange corresponding to those along the side and bottom edges thereof. However, the flanges on the frame along` the sides of the discharge opening continue a slight distance above the upper edge of the opening and merge into the plate portion 35 of the frame. To insure the flanges on the door adjacent the uppercorners thereof clearing the upper ends of the side flanges on the frame the upper portions of the latter are offset inwardly toward each other as at 57.

From the foregoing it will be observed that a very strong and rugged door frame has been produced and that simple and efficient means is provided for rigidly connecting it to adj acent parts of the car.

I claim:

1. In a railway car, the combination with a hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, of a door frame having a lading discharge opening and provided with portions rigidly secured to said hopper sheets, a door for closing said discharge opening, and a floor sheet extending transversely of the car and inclined downwardly toward the hopper,the portion of said frame above the opening involving a flange rigidly secured to said floor sheet, a rigidifying portion extending outwardly from the lower edge of said flange, a portion extending downwardly from said rigidifying portion intermediate the edges of the latter, the lower edge of said downwardly extending portion bounding the upper edge of the lading discharge opening.

2. In a railway car, the combination with a hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, of av door frame having a lading discharge opening and provided with portions rigidly secured to said hopper sheets, a door for closing said discharge opening, and a floor sheet extending transversely of the car and inclined downwardly toward the hopper, the portion of the frame above the opening involving an outwardly projecting rigidifying portion, a flange extending upwardly from said rigidifying portion and secured to said floor sheet, and a flange extending downwardly from said rigidifying portion, said'flanges respectively intersecting the rigidifying portion at points spaced transversely of the latter and the lower edge of the downwardly extending flange bounding said lading discharge opening.

3. In a railway car, the combination with a hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, of a door frame having a lading discharge. opening and provided with portions rigidly secured to said hopper sheets, a door for closing said discharge opening, and a floor sheet extending transversely of the car and inclined downwardly toward the hopper, the portion of said frame above the opening involving an outwardly projecting rigidif'ying portion, a flange extending upwardly from the inner edge of the rigidifying portion and secured to said floor sheet, and a portion extending downwardly from said rigidifying portion in a plane spaced from and substantially parallel with said flange, the lower edge of the downwardly exi tending portion bounding the upper edge of the lading discharge opening.

4:. In a railway ear, the combination with a hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, of a door frame having a lading discharge opening and provided with portions rigidly secured to said hopper sheets, a door for closing said discharge opening, and a floor sheet extending transversely of the car and inclined downwardly toward the hopper, the portion ofsaid frame above the opening involving a plurality of oppositely extending flanges and an intermediate portion integrally connecting said flanges and disposed at an angle thereto, said -flanges intersecting said intermediate portion at points spaced transversely of the latter and one of said flanges being secured to said floor sheet and the other bounding the upper edge of the lading discharge opening, said intermediate portion projecting outwardly beyond said last-named flange.

5. In. a railway car, the combination with a hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, of a door frame having a lading discharge opening and provided with portions rigidly secured to said hopper sheets, a. door for closing said discharge opening, and a floor sheet extending transversely of the car and inclined downwardly toward the hopper, the portion of said frame above the opening involving an outwardly projecting rigidifying portion disposed at an angle to the plane of said floor sheet, flanges respectively extending upwardly from adjacent the marginal edges ofthe rigidifying portion, and a portion extending downwardly from said rigidifying portion intermediate the edges of the latter, one of said flanges being secured to said floor sheet and the lower ed 0e of the downwardl extending ore Y e tion bounding the upper edge of the lading discharge opening.

6. In a railway car, the combination with a hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, of a door frame having a lading discharge opening and provided with portions rigidly secured to said hopper sheets, a door for closing said discharge opening, and a floor sheet extending transversely of the car and inclined downwardly toward the hopper, the portion of said frame above the opening involving an outwardly projecting rigidifying portion, hinge lugs for the door rigid with said portion, a flange cxtending upwardly from adjacent the inner edge of the rigidifying portion and secured to said oor sheet, an upwardly projecting flange formed on the vouter marginal edge of said portion and extending between saidl hinge lugs, and a flange extending downwardly from said rigidifying portion intermediate the inner and outer edgesthereof, said last-named flange bounding the upper edge of the lading discharge opening. j

7. In a railway car, the combination with a hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, of a door frame having a lading discharge opening and provided with portions rigidly secured to said hopper sheets, a door for closing said-discharge opening, and a floor-sheet extending transversely of the car and inclined downwardly toward the hopper, the portion of said frame-above the opening involving an outwardly projecting rigidifying portion, and flanges extending upwardly at substantially right angles to said portion adjacent the inner and outeredges thereof, one of said flanges being rigidly secured to said floor sheet.

8. In a railway car, the combination with a hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, of a door frame having a lading discharge opening and provided with portions rigidly secured to said hopper sheets, a door for closing said discharge opening, and a floor sheet extending transversely of the car and inclined downwardly toward the hopper, the portion of said frame above the opening involving an outwardly projecting rigidifying portion and flanges respectively extending upwardly and downwardly on opposite sides of the latter in spaced substantially parallel planes, said upwardly extending flange being rig-' idly secured to said floor sheet and the lower edge of the downwardly extending flange bounding the upper edge of the lading discharge opening, hinge lugs for the door formed integrally with said rigidifyinig portion and the downwardly extending ange, and reinforcing ribs formed integrally with said portion and the 4upwardly extending flange.

9. In a railway ear, the combination with Ya. hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, of a door frame having a lading discharge opening and provided with portions rigidly secured to said hopper sheets, a door for closing said discharge opening, port-ions of the frame bounding the sides of said opening being provided with outwardly projecting sealing flanges adapted to cooperate with the door, and a floor sheet extending transversely of the car and inclined downwardly toward the hopper, the portion of the frame above the lading discharge opening involving a flange secured to said floor sheet and a plate portion bounding the upper edge of the lading discharge opening, said sealing flanges extending upwardly above theupper edge of the lading discharge opening and merging into said plate portion.

10. In a railway car, the combination with a hopper comprising inner and outer side Sheets and a slope sheet, of a door frame having a lading discharge opening and provided with portions rigidly secured to said hopper sheets, a door for closing said lading discharge opening, portions of the frame bounding the sides of said opening being provided with outwardly projecting sealing llanges adapted to cooperate with the door, and a floor sheet extending transversely of the car and inclined,downwardly toward the hopper, the portion of the frame above the lading discharge opening involving a flange secured to said floor sheet and a plate portion bounding the upper edge of the'lading discharge opening, said sealing flanges extending upwardly above the upper edge of the lading discharge opening and the portions of the flanges above said edge being Olliset toward each other and merging into said plate portion of the frame.

11. In a railway car, the combination with a center sill having a substantially verticalA web and an outwardly projecting flange adjacent its lower portion, of a hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, a door frame rigidly secured to said hopper sheets and having a lading discharge opening, said frame being provided with laterally projecting means rigidly secured to the center sill, said means having a portion overlying and resting upon the upper surface of said flange of the center sill.

12. In a railway car, the combination with a center sill having a substantially vertical web and an outwardly projecting flange adjacent its lower portion, of `a hopper com.- prising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, a door frame rigidly secured to said hopper sheets and having a lading discharge opening, said frame having a laterally projecting portion disposed above said flange of the center sill, said portionv being provided with a'forwardly projecting lug rigidly secured to the web of the center sill.

13. In a railway car, the combination with a center sill having a substantially vertical web and an outwardly projecting flange adjacent its lower portion, of a hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, a door frame rigidly secured to said hopper sheets and having a lading discharge n opening, said frame being providedwith laterally projecting means disposed above the flange of the center sill, said means involving a portion resting upon the upper surface of said flange and a portion rigidly secured to the web of the center sill.

14. In a railway car, the combination with a center sill having a substantially vertical web and an outwardly projecting flange adjacent its lower portion, of a side sill, a hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, a door trame for the hopper rigidly secured to said sheets, said frame being integrally provided with a laterally projecting portion rigidlyT secured tov the center sill, and a detachable bracket for rigidly connecting adjacent portions of the door frame and side sill.

15. In a railway car, the combination with a center sill having a substantially vertical web and an outwardly projecting flange adjacent its lower portion, of a side sill, a hopper comprising inner land outer side sheets and a slope sheet, a door frame for the hopper rigidly secured to said sheets, said frame being integrally provided with a laterally projecting portion rigidly secured to the center sill, said portion having a flangel overlying and resting upon the upper surface of said lange of the center sill, and a bracket for rigidly connecting adjacent portions of the door frame andside sill.

16. In a railway car, the combination with a center sill, of a side sill having a substantially vertical portion and a portion extending inwardly from the latter, a hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, a door frame for the hopper rigidly secured to said sheets and extending transversely of the car between the center and sidev sills, and a bracket member for connecting adj acent portions of the door frame and side sill, said member having portions respectively secured to the vertical and inwardly extending portions of the side sill.

17. In a railway car, the combination with a center sill, of a side sill having a substantially vertical portion and a portion extending inwardly fromA the latter, a hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, a door frame for the hopper extending transversely of the car between the center sill and side sill, said frame having portions respectively connected to said hopper sheets, and a bracket member for connecting adjacent portions of the door Jframe and side sill, said member having portions respectively -secured to the vertical and inwardly extending port-ions of the/side sill and to the portion of the door frame connected to the outer side sheet of the hopper.

18. In a railway car, the combination with a center sill, of a side sill having a substantially verticalportion and a portion extending inwardly from the latter, a hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet. an inclined floor sheet extending downwardly toward the hopper, a door frame for the hopper having portions respectively secured to said hopper sheets and to said floor sheet, and a bracket member for connecting adjacent portions of the door frame and side sill, said member having portions respectively secured to the vertical and inwardly extending portions of the side sill and to l portions of the door frame .secured to the outer hopper side sheet and said Hoor sheet.

19. In a railway car, the combination with a center sill, of a side sill having a substantially vertical portion and a portion extending inwardly from the latter, a hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, an inclined floor sheet extending downwardly toward the hopper, a door frame for the hopper having portions respectively securedv to said hopper sheets and to said oor sheet, and a bracket member overlappingly secured to the inner face of said floor sheet and of the outer hopper side sheet for connecting the door frame to the sidesill, said bracket member also having portions respectively secured to the vertical and inwardly extending portions of the side sill.

Q0. In a railway car, the combination with a center sill, of a side sill having a substantially vertical portion and a substantially horizontal flange projectinginwardly from the latter, a hopper comprising inner and outer side sheets and a slope sheet, a door frame for the hopper rigidly secured to said sheets and extending transversely of the car between the center sill and side sill, and a detachable bracket member Jfor rigidly connecting adjoining portions of the door frame and side sill, said member respectively hav- ,ing portions overlappingly secured to the inner faces of the said vertical portion and said horizontal flange of the side sill;

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM E. 'WINE 

